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Senegalese dance in the street
31/05/2002 16:57 - (SA)
Dakar - Senegal's people danced in the streets when their West African nation scored the first goal of the 2002 World Cup on Friday - and kicked it up to a full-scale national party when the World Cup newcomer triumphed.
"Senegal has made history!" celebrant Atiouma Diouf screamed at the conclusion of one of the most stunning upsets in World Cup history.
Men, women and children ran and danced through the oceanside capital, Dakar, with Senegal's red, green and yellow flag streaming from outstretched hands.
Senegal's government had called off school for Senegal's first-ever World Cup match - saying no one could be expected to study.
Drivers leaned full force on horns, not even trying to move forward in the capital's sudden euphoria jam.
Crowds started swarming as soon as Papa Bouba Diop scored the first - and final - goal against France.
"We beat them! We beat them!" one woman in Dakar, Ndeye, screamed among the flag-draped doorways and buildings at the end.
In Seoul, Diop and four teammates, overjoyed with the accomplishment, ran to the side and formed a circle, dancing with each other, then boogied in an impromptu conga line.
Senegal's victory set off smaller-scale celebrations across West
Africa - like Senegal, much of it the former colonial domain of France. - Sapa-AP
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